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WashingtonReservoir, 1,011 acres, King County

South Fork Tolt Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-4kt

    WNW, gusts 3

    High 44°F, rain 43%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    3-8kt

    SW, gusts 10

    High 42°F, rain 93%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    2-5kt

    S, gusts 9

    High 39°F, rain 99%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-4kt

    E, gusts 7

    High 39°F, rain 57%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-3kt

    ENE, gusts 5

    High 39°F, rain 25%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    1-3kt

    ENE, gusts 5

    High 43°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    SSE, gusts 4

    High 44°F, rain 5%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on South Fork Tolt

Over the next 7 days on South Fork Tolt Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 10 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Reading a lake wind forecast

Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.

On a lake the size of South Fork Tolt, waves stay modest, but nearby hills, trees and buildings bend the wind. Expect shifts and puffs, especially close to shore, and treat the forecast speed as an average across open water.

The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.

South Fork Tolt Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for South Fork Tolt Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 43°F. Sunday: SSE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 44°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on South Fork Tolt Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 3 to 8 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the South Fork Tolt Reservoir wind forecast come from?

From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.

What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?

We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.

Nearby lakes

If South Fork Tolt is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.